Celebrate Christmas in Atlantic! Join us for a number of special events: Grand Lighting, Recipe Walk, Santa Visits, Horse Carriage Rides, and so much more.
Christmas in Atlantic is a unique experience. In the evenings, enjoy the lights on Chestnut Street. End to end, there are more than 12 miles of lights strung in downtown! During the day, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides after you visit Santa Claus in his log cabin in City Park. Enjoy free hot cocoa during Grand Lighting, when the lights come on for the season, always held the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Bring a friend along for the Recipe Walk, or the annual Festival of Trees.
On the first Saturday of December, rally your troops and create a lighted float for the annual Christmas parade. Prizes are awarded, and bragging rights travel along with the 2-foot trophy!
Whether you're an Atlantic native, resident, or you're just looking for an authentic small-town Christmas experience, Atlantic has the Christmas charm you're looking for.
Saturday, November 29th
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy free hot cocoa, Santa visits in City Park, and horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Atlantic (6th & Chestnut)
Saturday, December 6th
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast with Santa at Hy-Vee.
9:00 to Noon
DOES Cookie & Candy Walk at the Rock Island Depot.
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy free hot cocoa, Santa visits in City Park, and horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Atlantic (6th & Chestnut)
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Visit a live nativity scene at the First United Presbyterian Church. (7th & Chestnut)
View living window displays in downtown.
6:00 p.m.
Bundle up for the Lighted Christmas Parade & fireworks over the Rock Island Depot. All entries must have lights. Music is encouraged, and sorry, but floats may not feature Santa Claus. (The big guy makes his appearance at the end of the parade!)
Sunday, December 7th
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Recipe Walk! Sample holiday recipes and collect recipe cards. Start at the Rock Island Depot!
4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Support the Family Crisis Support Network by purchasing a $10 ticket to the Christmas Walk. Tour area homes decorated for the holidays.
Saturday, December 13th
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Bring the kids for free Cookie Decorating with the Elves at the Rock Island Depot.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy free hot cocoa, Santa visits in City Park, and horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Atlantic (6th & Chestnut)
7:00 p.m.
Listen to the sounds of the season during the annual Holiday Concert. Angels of Christmas will also be awarded at this time.
Saturday, December 20th
1:00 p.m.
Grand Prize Drawing at Hy-Vee! Register to win a chest-style deep freeze from W&S Appliance, two meat bundles from Atlantic Locker Service, and $500 in groceries from Hy-Vee. If the winner is present, they'll take home an extra $250 in AtlantiCash!
Enjoy free hot cocoa, Santa visits in City Park, and horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Atlantic (6th & Chestnut)
For a complete schedule, visit our full Calendar of Events. To download our Christmas brochure, please click here.
